Simply put, the Allegheny River Competitive
Paddlers club is for canoeists and kayakers wishing to improve their paddling
technique, speed, and endurance. The Allegheny River from the Kinzua Dam to
Betts Park, has been home of the 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2012 United States Canoe
Association (USCA) National Championships as well as many Pennsylvania
Association of Canoe and Kayak (PACK) State Championship races. Competitors from
all across the nation insist, this is one of the best courses and that is why
they repeatedly come back here to race. Sadly, very few local Warren Pa and
surrounding area paddlers have competed in these events. We at ARCP would like
to see this change. Our goal is to help interested paddlers find others to
paddle with, while developing their skills. We realize racing is not for
everyone, maybe you just want to paddle for fitness while perfecting your
stroke, this is okay. The Allegheny River in Irvine, Pa. is our base training area, also the Clarion River in Ridgway, and the Conewango Creek in Akeley. When we need to replicate a big open water race environment, we venture to the Kinzua Dam (Allegheny Reservoir). New friends learning to how to
paddle competitively is what it's all about. Other than our Annual Pat Shine Memorial Canoe & Kayak Race, there are not many races in this
area. If you are willing to travel and really want to compete, there are
races every weekend somewhere in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. No disrespect
towards our friends who enjoy float trips, our club activities are intended as
athletic training, we keep quite an active pace. We DO NOT condone drinking
parties on the water, so please don't bring along a cooler full of beer and your
smokes.

The race course is from Kinzua Big Bend Access Area to Betts Park in Warren on the Allegheny River. It is approximately 10 miles. We are NOT asking for any increase or decrease water releases from the Army Corps this year, we will take what we get for the river level. PFDs are required at the start of the race while with in the Army Corps waterway. Just past the head of the first island this restriction ends.You don't have to be an elite paddler to participate in the Pat Shine Memorial races.Recreational classes and a business class too! Come on local paddlers, challenge your friends and have a great time on the beautiful Allegheny River. Get your employer to sponsor a team and try to win the "Business Class" Pat Shine plaque for a year. The Allegheny River Competitive Paddlers can assist in showing you tips for paddling faster and building your endurance. Tango paddlers wanting head to head competition, sign up for the "Tango Class", paddle any tandem canoe using canoe or kayak paddles.

New class this year, the "Veteran Class". Open to any US Military Veteran team paddling a recreational canoe.